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Sam Houston and the Texas War Fever

and at about this same time the leader of the revolt in the north-ern states, Antonio Canales, succeeded in gaining the adherence ofsome one hundred and eighty Texans under Colonels ReubenRoss and S. W. Jordan.9 Later President Lamar thought betterof allowing Texans to take part in such a revolt while treatingwith the other side for a peace treaty. To recall them, he dis-patched a small body of troops to northern Mexico. Colonel Rosshad been quarreling with the federalist leaders and had alreadyleft for Texas. The federalists, seething at this action, turned ontheir erstwhile confederates and annihilated this whole body oftroops sent by President Lamar. These actions with the federalistsheightened the hatred and distrust felt by Texans of all Mex-icans.9aMore far-reaching in its influence on 'Texas than any directoccurrence was the indirect benefit accruing from the federal re-volt against the central government of Mexico. This general up-heaval kept the central government well occupied, and it was notuntil the collapse of the rebellion that Mexico thought seriouslyof reconquering Texas. After the collapse of Canales' Republicof the Rio Grande in November, 1840, Mexico, under SantaAnna,1o was to have a period of relative peace and quiet. It wasinevitable, therefore, that Mexico should take more serious noticeof the rebellious colony to the north.Another phase of the problem, which is of extreme importanceto the events of 1842, is the over-all economic state of the TexasRepublic. Texas had only one commodity-land. She had, by theissuance of promissory notes backed up by land, cheapened hercurrency which had no other commodity to support it. SinceTexas was of necessity an importing country, it was imperativethat she either have money or credit.11 Her paper money was9H. H. Bancroft, History of the North Mexican States and Texas (2 vols.; SanFrancisco, 1886-1889), II, 327.9aBurnet to Treat, March 12, 1840, in George P. Garrison (ed.), DiplomaticCorrespondence of the Republic of Texas (3 vols.; Washington, 19o8-1911), II, 582.loSanta Anna had become a hero once again by his abortive military actionagainst the French in 1838. The French, tired of waiting for payment on their debtsby Mexico, had invaded Vera Cruz. Santa Anna, in this engagement had lost a leg,but regained leadership of Mexico.11For the efforts of Texas to secure loans from abroad, see Ephraim D. Adams(ed.), British Correspondence Concerning the Republic of Texas, 1838-z846 (Austin,